Job 41:21

His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.

His breath {H5315} kindleth {H3857} coals {H1513}, and a flame {H3851} goeth out {H3318} of his mouth {H6310}.

His breath sets coals ablaze; flames pour from his mouth.

His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames pour from his mouth.

His breath kindleth coals, And a flame goeth forth from his mouth.

Commentary

Job 41:21 describes a terrifying aspect of Leviathan, a creature used by God to illustrate His unparalleled power and sovereignty to Job. The verse states, "His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth." This vivid imagery highlights Leviathan's formidable nature, portraying it as a creature of immense power and destructive capability, far beyond human control.

Context

This verse is part of God's grand discourse to Job in chapters 38-41, where the Almighty challenges Job's understanding and wisdom by showcasing the vastness and mystery of His creation. After describing various natural phenomena and the mighty Behemoth, God focuses on Leviathan in chapter 41. The detailed, awe-inspiring description of Leviathan serves a crucial purpose: to humble Job and demonstrate that if humanity cannot even control such a creature, how much less can they comprehend or question the infinite wisdom and power of the Creator. Leviathan is presented as an untamable force, a symbol of God's boundless dominion over all things, both wild and seemingly chaotic.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The primary message conveyed through the description of Leviathan is God's absolute and unchallengeable power. The creature's terrifying attributes, including its fiery breath, underscore that only God can create, control, and ultimately subdue such a being. This reinforces the theme that God is sovereign over all creation, including the most fearsome elements.
  • The Limits of Human Understanding and Control: By presenting Leviathan as unconquerable by man, God illustrates the finite nature of human strength, wisdom, and ability. This serves to humble Job, redirecting his focus from his own suffering and perceived injustice to the incomprehensible majesty of God. If Job cannot even fathom controlling Leviathan, how can he fully grasp God's purposes or challenge His ways? This resonates with themes of God's unsearchable judgments found in Romans 11:33.
  • Awe and Mystery of Creation: The description of Leviathan evokes a sense of profound awe and mystery regarding God's creative work. The creature's characteristics, including its fiery breath, are designed to inspire wonder and fear, reminding Job and the reader that God's creation is far more expansive and mysterious than human perception can fully grasp.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrases used in Job 41:21 paint a vivid picture:

  • "His breath kindleth coals" (ื™ึฐื‘ึทืขึตืจ ื’ึถึผื—ึธืœึดื™ื, y'va'er gechalim): This phrase literally means "he causes coals to burn" or "he kindles glowing embers." It suggests an incredibly hot, fiery breath, capable of igniting flammable material.
  • "and a flame goeth out of his mouth" (ื•ึฐืœึทื”ึทื‘ ืžึดืคึดึผื™ื• ื™ึตืฆึตื, v'lahav mipiv yetze): This reinforces the imagery of fire-breathing, depicting actual flames emanating from Leviathan's mouth. While some commentators interpret this as hyperbole for extremely fierce and hot breath, the language strongly conveys a creature with a truly formidable and destructive exhalation.

Practical Application

For the modern reader, Job 41:21, within the broader context of God's speeches to Job, offers profound practical applications:

  • Humility Before God: This passage calls us to humble ourselves before the immense power and wisdom of God. Just as Job learned, we are reminded that our understanding is limited, and God's ways are beyond our full comprehension. This fosters a spirit of trust rather than questioning.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Knowing that God controls even the most fearsome and chaotic elements of creation (symbolized by Leviathan) should build our faith and trust. If God is sovereign over such mighty forces, He is certainly in control of our circumstances, no matter how overwhelming they may seem. This can bring comfort and peace, knowing that the God who describes Leviathan also cares for His creation, as seen in passages like Matthew 6:26.
  • Awe and Worship: The sheer power and mystery described in this verse should lead us to greater awe and worship of God. It reminds us that our God is not small or weak, but a magnificent Creator worthy of all praise and adoration.
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Cross-References

  • Psalms 18:8 (4 votes)

    There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

  • Habakkuk 3:5 (2 votes)

    Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.

  • Isaiah 30:33 (2 votes)

    For Tophet [is] ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made [it] deep [and] large: the pile thereof [is] fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.

  • Psalms 18:12 (2 votes)

    At the brightness [that was] before him his thick clouds passed, hail [stones] and coals of fire.